, 1887-11-03
THE LABOR PROBLEM.

the relations existing between
capital and labor Is at present one Of
the gravest problems before the ma
ton, and recognizing the fact
that In u city where both
interests are so largely rep.
resented, the question must
be Of vital importance, the RE-
VIEW will publish the lectures de-
livered upon the subject by the Rev.
Jonathan Edwards. Mr.. Edwards
has had excellent opportunities for
studying the problem from II practi-
cal standpoint, and has given it the
most careful consideration. The
first lecture was delivered on last
Sunday evening and was entitled
THE DIGNITY AND DUTY OF LABOR
No problems Of the day are more
difficult of solution than the social
ones. The question Of capital and
labor In all It's bearings is worthy of
the thoughtful attention of every
intelligent being. 1t Is one of the
great questions Of the day. The agi-
tatiOn related to 1t assumes Il serious
aspect.
My reason for discussing this sub.
ject from the pulpit is: First, want
to understand it thoroughly. Sec
ond, / feel that its relation to Chris
tianity Is most intimate. Third,
the alleged alienation Of working.
men from the church. Fourth, my
real interest in working people.
Some may consider the discussion
of such subjects altogether too Sec
ular for Sunday evening discourseS.
1t does not so appear to Inc. The
lawfulness of doing good is not an
open question. /, of course, shall
consider all these subjects from the
standpoint Of Christianity, the only
safe basis from which we can have
accurate views Of all subjects.
We must bring the principles of
the church to bear upon the
questions Of the day. They are not
questions Of mere economy, but are
in large sense moral questions.
Every motive which has in view
the elevation OF mankind Is inti-
mately related TO the religion of
good will founded by Jesus Christ.
The pulpit ought and must have
something to say on these ques-
tions.
1t has been said that i'm the lives of
individuals and peoples are periods
especially needing earnestness and
intelligence. We are certainly liv-
ing in such a period. 1t is well that
we should take i'm the situation thor
Oughly and be awake to the respOn-
slbilitles and opportunities of the
hour.
Let us endeavor to discuss these
questions which involve the welfare
Of millions candidly, intelligently,
and earnestly.
Before am through with these
series Of discour,es l contemplate
considering as thoroughly as | am
able, the following subjects:
Dignity and Duty Of Labor"
"Aristocracy and Democracy"
"HOw Men Get Rich"
"Capital and Labor.n
Hard Times, the Reason and
Remedy"
"The Elevation of Wage Work
ers, ETC."
l do not profess to understand
these subjects thoroughly, and have
accurate views pertaining to them,
but do profess to have given them
considerable attention and have de-
cidcd convictions regarding them,
and deslrr to express them.
My subject this evening Is "The
Dignity and Duty of Labor" The
st. Paul says "if any man shall not
work neither shall he sleep" Man
was made to work. 1t is never dis
honorable to be counted a working
man. 1t seems unnecessary to ar
que the dignity of labor. All crea-
ton seems to indicate that man was
made to be active. Activity is the
order of nature, and one of The con.
ditions Of purity ana life. What
could possibly add more dignity to
labor than the fact that the Creator
Himself IL ever active, neither
siumberlng nor sleeping. 1t is very
evident that labor was never intend
ed to demOralize or degrade man.
1t was purposed by God that labor
should enhance mans usefulness,
that he should be euobled by it. Man
is responsible for the degradation i'm.
cideut To- labor.
Man is indeed the greatest, grand.
est of all earthly beings. He is the
crown of Gods work; is the being
that links heaven and earth; and
among men there Is none greYter
than the w0rkingman He is the
backbone and -inew5 of society. He
has accomplished more than all else.
by him deserts nre converted into
fertile fields, and forests irto fruit.
ful gardens. To him can almost be-
ascribed the words, "By him all
things are made, and without hlm
is nothing made that is made"
Without him all the machineries of |
the world would cease their revolu- |
tion-; without him no white sails |
would float on the wide ocean or
paddles disturb the foaning waters,
carrying great ships from port to- |
port; without him industry would |
he paralyzed, Improvement and pro.
gress would be impossible. He more
han all Ol hers can live independent.
He has built railroad across the con-
tinent, and thus annihilated dis |
tnnsa Jn 1isnnvarS nnI ri.